They worked hard, and the results finally came out. Well, they did so well, and the 2018 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) top performers really hoped to join the schools of their choice, the ones they really worked hard for.
However, when the selection for national schools was done on Monday, many were disappointed after failing to get into schools that they had hoped to join.
Benson Njenga, who scored 431 marks, had hoped to join Alliance High School but was instead invited to St Patrick’s High School in Iten, Elgeyo-Marakwet County.
Njenga, who was a candidate at Familia Takatifu Primary School in Rumuruti, Laikipia County, believed that his marks would guarantee him a place at Alliance High School.
“I have always dreamt of joining Alliance High School because it is among the best schools in the country and it has a long history of performing well,” one of the local dailies.
Meanwhile, Jane Mutua, who topped Taita-Taveta County with 430 marks, will be joining Pangani Girls High School in Nairobi and not Kenya High School, her first choice. “I am very disappointed and demoralised because that was not my choice of school,” she said, adding that she considers Pangani less competitive than Kenya High.
Also to join Pangani against her will is Martina Abiona, who scored 421 marks, and expected to join Alliance Girls High School. “I wish I could join another school,” she said.
Also disappointed is Nuru Yoyo Juma, who obtained 408 marks at St Jane’s Primary School in Kwale town. She wanted to join Lugulu Girls High School but was selected to join Bahari Girls High School in Kilifi County instead.
Ezra Mogambi scored 431 marks at Radiance Academy in Nakuru and wanted to join Alliance High School but will be going to Kapsabet Boys High School.
His schoolmate, Mercy Kang’ethe, scored 400 marks and was hoping to join Pangani Girls High School in Nairobi but was selected to join Kolanya Girls in Busia County.
Prudence Wanjiru, also from Radiance Academy, scored 401 marks. Her hopes of joining Pangani Girls High School were dashed after she was selected to join Mama Ngina Girls High School in Mombasa.
But Cliff Paul has taken things in his stride. He scored 421 marks and wanted to join Starehe Boys Centre but he has been selected to join Maseno School.
His schoolmate Nemuel Kebaso scored 414 and will be joining Nairobi School.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Mombasa Executive Secretary Dan Aloo said the selection was not free and fair, and that it favoured pupils from the rich families.
“We expected all players to be involved in the selection to monitor the process. How did they ensure that students in public schools were given priority over those from private schools? They cannot be given equal shares. A Turkana pupil cannot be compared to one in Mombasa. They should start with the most needy, special needs, public schools then private schools,” said Mr Aloo.